Matthew 20:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But Yeshua answered, "You people don't know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We can."

Berean Standard Bible:

“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered.

American Standard Version:

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} Jesus^{G2424} answered^{G611} and said^{G2036}, Ye know^{G1492} not^{G3756} what^{G5101} ye ask^{G154}. Are ye able^{G1410} to drink^{G4095} of the cup^{G4221} that^{G3739} I^{G1473} shall^{G3195} drink of^{G4095}, and^{G2532} to be baptized^{G907} with the baptism^{G908} that^{G3739} I^{G1473} am baptized with^{G907}? They say^{G3004} unto him^{G846}, We are able^{G1410}.

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Commentary for Matthew 20:22

Matthew 20:22 is part of a larger narrative where James and John, along with their mother, approach Jesus with a request. In the historical context of the time, it was common for disciples to seek positions of honor and authority in the anticipated kingdom that they believed Jesus would establish. Through the lens of this cultural expectation, the mother of James and John asks Jesus to grant her sons the highest positions of honor in His kingdom.

In response, Jesus addresses the underlying misunderstanding of what it means to be a leader in His kingdom. The verse captures a pivotal moment where Jesus challenges the brothers' assumption that positions of authority are akin to worldly power structures. He asks them, "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" This question is layered with significance; the "cup" and "baptism" are metaphors for the suffering and death that Jesus is destined to undergo. Jesus is essentially asking if they are prepared to share in His suffering and sacrifice, which is a prerequisite for true leadership in the Christian context.

The themes of this verse include the nature of true discipleship, the cost of following Jesus, and the reversal of worldly expectations of greatness. Jesus teaches that greatness in the kingdom of God is not about power or prestige but about humility, service, and self-sacrifice. The brothers' confident assertion, "We are able," indicates their initial lack of understanding of the gravity of Jesus' words, suggesting that they do not yet fully grasp the reality of the suffering they will face as His disciples. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to further instruct His disciples about servant leadership, a concept radically different from the dominant cultural norms of the time.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
3. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
8. Strong's Number: G154
   There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἰτέω
   Transliteration: aitéō
   Pronunciation: ahee-teh'-o
   Description: of uncertain derivation; to ask (in genitive case):--ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require. Compare πυνθάνομαι.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1410
   There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δύναμαι
   Transliteration: dýnamai
   Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
   Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4095
    There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πίνω
    Transliteration: pínō
    Pronunciation: po'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of ; which (together with another form) ; occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe (literally or figuratively):--drink.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4221
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποτήριον
    Transliteration: potḗrion
    Pronunciation: pot-ay'-ree-on
    Description: neuter of a derivative of the alternate of πίνω; a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e. a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate:--cup.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1473
    There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐγώ
    Transliteration: egṓ
    Pronunciation: eg-o'
    Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3195
    There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέλλω
    Transliteration: méllō
    Pronunciation: mel'-lo
    Description: a strengthened form of μέλω (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):--about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.
    
15. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
16. Strong's Number: G907
    There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: βαπτίζω
    Transliteration: baptízō
    Pronunciation: bap-tid'-zo
    Description: from a derivative of βάπτω; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.
    
17. Strong's Number: G908
    There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: βάπτισμα
    Transliteration: báptisma
    Pronunciation: bap'-tis-mah
    Description: from βαπτίζω; baptism (technically or figuratively):--baptism.
    
18. Strong's Number: G3004
    There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λέγω
    Transliteration: légō
    Pronunciation: leg'-o
    Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
    
19. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.